The University of North Dakota track and field teams are set for a busy schedule with four meets taking place over three days in two states, beginning Thursday, April 16.
This series of competitions is significant as it provides the Fighting Hawks with opportunities to improve their standings both regionally and nationally. The athletes will participate in the Pacific Coast Invitational hosted by Long Beach State on Thursday, followed by events at the Beach Invitational (Long Beach State), Bryan Clay Invitational (Azusa Pacific), and Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational (Houston) across Friday and Saturday.
Jadyn Keeler was named Summit League Peak Performer of the Week for women’s track on April 7. As of April 15, the North Dakota women’s team ranked No. 11 in the Midwest Region and No. 59 nationally according to USTFCCCA rankings, making them the highest-ranked Summit League team. The men’s team stood at No. 24 in the Midwest Region and No. 130 nationally, placing second among Summit League women’s teams and fourth among men’s teams.
The women’s squad has also gained national attention as its 10,000-meter run group—comprising Jadyn Keeler, Shewaye Johnson, Naja Weiler, and Elle Sondag—currently holds a No.1 event squad ranking nationwide. Seven members of the women’s team are positioned within the Top 48 on the West Qualifying List for NCAA West Prelims: Jadyn Keeler (3rd –10,000m), Frida Giersdorff (9th –3000m steeplechase), Shewaye Johnson (28th –10,000m), Naja Weiler (33rd –10,000m), Cailey Moton (34th –hammer throw), Julia Matthews (43rd –hammer throw), Katie Rogers (48th –5,000m). On the men’s side for steeplechase qualifying marks are Louis-Lys Fanucchi in 11th place with a time of 8:42.15 and Henrik Lindstrot in 24th at 8:49.08 after strong performances at Stanford.
Several new top-10 indoor marks have been set this season by UND athletes across various events including school records from Olivia Correale in mile run; Louis-Lys Fanucchi in mile run; Frida Giersdorff in steeplechase; Jadyn Keeler in the women’s outdoor record for a single meet performance; Anya Williams in triple jump; along with high placements from teammates such as Matej Hrebacka and Katie Rogers.
Looking ahead, North Dakota will return home next week to compete locally at both Minneapolis’ Gary Wilson Invitational on Wednesday April 22nd and Jamestown’s Al Cassell Classic on Saturday April 25th.
